RHAPSODY IN THE TERRAIN
NEW VICTORIA SUBDIVISION FOR 98 HOMES
Councilmembers gave preliminary approval to a new subdivision in the southwest area of Victoria to be known as Rhapsody.  The resolution approved the preliminary plat, rezoned the property from agricultural to residential, and approved a conditional use permit for the Planned Unit Development as proposed by Lyman Properties.
Gross area of the property is 80.75 acres.  Net developable is 70.4 acres.  The plat is for 98 single family lots located west of County Road 43 and to the north of Tellers Road.
As part of the development, the City of Victoria will receive a new Public Works site and an additional City Park.  Berms will be constructed and landscaped to minimize impact of the site to the neighborhood.
City Planner Eric Zweber said that a water booster station will be needed to serve a higher water pressure zone.  He proposed the construction of a park shelter in conjunction with the booster station for aesthetics as well as function in a city park.
Stated Eric, "There will be some win-ter impact to nearby residences, with snowplowing."
Said Administrator Steve Sarvi, "To me, the larger issue is the backup sound of trucks at 2 in the morning.  Most activity will be inside the building but residents will definitely know when we begin to snowplow streets … but theirs will be done first."
Asked Councilmember Kim Roden, "Is it fairly typical to put up a Public Works building near a residential area?"
"No," replied Administrator Sarvi.  "This will challenge the designers of Public Works to come up with the solu-tions."
Asked Councilmember Mary Thun, "Why are we putting Public Works out there?"
Replied Planner Zweber, "It's a geographically centered location, and we don't have an industrial area."
Added Steve, "And the developer has been so gracious as to accommodate our need."
When Mayor Jerry Bohn suggested removing or exchanging a couple of the residential lots near the proposed Public Works site, developer Jim Johnson asked to speak.  "As the owner and the seller, I don't have any concerns about selling those lots," he said.  "It will be well landscaped and disclosed.  Those lots have great views of the lakes because of the heights.  If I had concerns, I'd have said it long ago.  It's now been four years this month that we've been at this … I've enjoyed working with you."
Rhapsody is proposed to be con-structed in two phases - first 33 lots, and then 65 lots - that will accommodate the city's limit of 150 new homes per year.
In addition to deeding land for a public park and a Public Works facility, and several other conditions, the develop-er will pay a Recreational Facilities and Equipment fee of $2,411 per lot (at the time of individual building permit issu-ance for a total of $236,278) and a Water Availability Charge of $3,000 per lot (for a total of $294,000). 
Final plat for Rhapsody is expected to come before the Council some time this fall.  According to Administrator Sarvi, "Our Council always treats preliminary plats with great care because once approved the developer acquires develop-ment rights to the land."

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE
VICTORIA BOOSTER STATION
"Basically, the developer stepped forward and offered to do this," stated City Engineer Jack Griffin.  It is needed to service the majority area of the Rhapsody development, with the system readily expandable to service additional future developments requiring higher water pressure.
Jack elaborated on the picnic shelter that is being proposed for construction along with the water booster station at Rhapsody.  It will include small kitchen facilities, restrooms, and storage area.
The engineer reported that "total ball-park cost" of the facility could approach $500,000 with $57,500 for the design phase alone.
When asked to explain the high cost of design, Jack pointed to technical, electrical, and mechanical controls that have to tie in with the city's new water treatment plant on Hwy 5, as well as the accompanying architectural elements.
Stated Councilmember Terry Bishop, "I expect Lyman Properties to pay a signi-ficant amount toward this."
Added City Attorney Mike Norton in regard to cost allocation of the facility, "It seems to me that it's imminently reason-able that future developments will con-tribute to this cost."
TKDA, the city's engineering firm, was authorized to do the design of the joint water booster station/picnic shelter that is proposed to be constructed in the northeast corner of the Rhapsody devel-opment.
The design is proposed to be com-pleted this fall for construction in 2006.

PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 22ND
ON VICTORIA STREET ASSESSMENTS
Councilmembers adopted a resolution on August 11^th declaring the costs on the recent group of street reconstruction pro-jects in Victoria, ordering preparation of proposed street assessments, and calling for a public hearing on the improvements on Thursday, September 22^nd, at 7 p.m.
Mayor Jerry Bohn pointed out and clarified that affected residents are assessed for all of their municipal water construction, for example, but that the City of Victoria picks up half of the street reconstruction costs.
The amount to be specially assessed in the Smithtown area against each lot is $8,100.
The amount to be specially assessed in the Parkside Estates area against each lot is $7,700.
The amount to be specially assessed against each lot in the Virginia Shores Circle is $5,700.
Said assessments are proposed to be payable in equal annual installments ex-tending over a period of 15 years, the first of the installments to be payable in Janu-ry, 2006, with an interest rate of 6.25%.  The entire assessment can be paid at any time prior to certification of the assess-ment to the county auditor on November 30^th, 2005.
The City's contribution for the projects is $1,820,462.  Written or oral objections will be considered at the public hearing on September 22^nd.

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